Machine for forming metal weather-strips.



A. M. LANE.

MACHINE FOR FORMING METAL WEATHER STRIPS.

I APPLICATION FILED APILM, 1910. 1,005,848. Patented Oct. 17,1911.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Witnesses:

64W flwnm l A. M. LANE.

MACHINE FOR FORMING METAL WEATHER STRIPS.

' APPLIUATION FILED APBJH, 1910.

Patented Oct. 17, 1911 10 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. M. LANE. MACHINE FOR FORMING METAL WEATHER STRIPS.

APPLIOATIOK rxmzn An. 21 1910.

1,005,848. Patented 0ct.17,1911.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

10177255565: EDLJZET'. MM

A. M. LANE. MACHINE FOR FORMING METAL WEATHER STRIPS.

APPLICATION FILED APBJZL 1910. Patented Oct 17,

l0 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Lax. m

A. M. LANE. MACHINE FOR FORMING METAL WEATHER STRIPS.

APPLIOATION FILED APR-21, 1910.

Patented Oct. 17, 1911.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

llfitiwssea:

A. M. LANE. MACHINE FOR FORMING METAL WEATHER STRIPS.

APELIUATION TILED APB.21, 1910. 1,005,848, Patented Oct. 17, 1911.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 61 @WWW azi s.

A. M. LANE. MACHINE FOR FORMING METAL WEATHER STRIPS.

APPLIOATION FILED AYE. 21, 1910.

1,005,848. Patented 001;. 17,1911.

A. M. LANE.

MACHINE FOR FORMING METAL WEATHER STRIPS.

APPLICATION rum) 11.21, 1910.

1,005,848. Patented Oct. 17, 1911.

10 SHEETS-SHEET B.

raga.

A. M. LANEL,

MACHINE FOR FORMING METAL WEATHER STRIPS.

APPLICATION FILED 11.21, 1910.

1,005,848, Patented Oct. 17, 1911.

10 8HEETSSHEET 9.

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A. M. LANE. MACHINE FOR FORMING METAL WEATHER STRIPS.

APPLICATION rum) APR.21,1910.

1,005,848, Patented Oct. 1'7, 1911.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 10.

6 /?& M Wys.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFruoE-f ALFRED M. LANE, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR'TO MONARCH METAL WEATHER STRIP COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A. CORPORATION OF MISSOURI.

MACHINE FOR FORMING METAL WEATHER-STRIPS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

. Patented a. 17, 19.11.

Application filed April 21, 1910. Serial No. 556,678.

' cation.

This invention 'relates to machines for forming metal weather strips and the like, having ribsor beads thereon.

It has for its principal objects to minimize the cost of manufacture, to secure uniformity and accuracy of shape, and to attain certain other advantages hereinafter more fully appeering.

The invention consists in'the parts and in the arrangements and combinations of parts .hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification and-wherein like symbols refer to like parts wherever they occur, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the right hand side of a machine embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the left hand side of the machine; Fig. 3 is a top plan view; Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the strip-feeding mechanism; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the strip-feeding mecha nism; Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical section on the line (5-6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a front end elevation of the strip-feeding mechanism; Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of one of the reciprocatory shifting members of the strip-feeding mechanism; Fig.9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 10 is a front end elevation of the form ing machine proper; Fig. 11 is-a reanend elevation of the machine; Fig. 12 is a section on the line 1212- of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 13 is a section on the line 13-13 of Fig. 2; Fig. 14 is a section on the line 14-44 of Fig. 2; Fig. 15 is a fragmentary rear edge view of the rotary shears; Fig. 16 s a section on the line l616 of Fig. 2; Flg. 17 1s a top view ofth'e supporting braclret for the beveled guide block detached; Fig. 18 1s a frontview of the supportingbracket with the beveled guide block in position thereon; Fig. 19 is a detail perspective view of the beveled guide, block detached. Figs. 20 to 24, inclusive, are fragmentary sections, on an enlarged scale, showing the .SUCCBSSIVB shapes of the strip from the initial forma- Any of the tion to and including the final operation of trimming the marginal portion of the base;

Fig. is an end elevation'of a bead and groove strip detached; and Fig. 26 is an end elevation showing thetwo strips fitted together as ordinarily used.

As shown in the drawings, the machine is mounted on a table or supporting frame 1. The forming or shaping machine proper comprises a base 2 and parallel side frames 3, 4, respectively. The respective side frames 3, 4 are provided with vertical slotted portions to provide column guides between which are fitted journal blocks or bearings 5 for the respective transverse shafts here- 'inafter referred to.

In the blocksor bearings 5 at the front of the machine are journaled upper and lower shafts 6, 7, respectively, on the righthand ends of which are fixed gears 8, 9 which mesh with each other. In the second sets of bearings 5 are journaled shafts 10, 11, on the ends of which are fixed gears 12, 13. In the third sets of bearings 5 are journaled shafts 14, 15 having gears 16, 17 fixed thereon. In the rearmost sets of .blocks are journaled shafts 18, 19 having gears 20, 21 fixed thereon. A shaft 22 is 1ournaled in the blocks 5 between the rearmost upper set of bearing blocks and the upper set which are located midway between the ends of the machine. On the end of this shaft '22 is fixed a gear 23. Intermediate gears '24, 25, 26, 27 are journaled on stub shafts or studs 28 project ing' outwardly from the side frame 3; and these intermediate gears mesh with the several upper gears 8,12, 16, 20, 23, whereby all of said uppermost gears are simultaneously rotated in a common direction. The lowermost gears 9, 13, 17, 21, being in mesh with their companion upper gears are also simultaneously rotated in a common reverse direction.

shafts may be employed as the driving shaft; but, preferably, the upper rearinost shaft 18 is the driving shaft.

On the left hand'end of the upper shaft 6 is fixed a disk or roll 29 having an annular peripheral rib 30. On the lower shaft 7 a companion disk or roll 31 haying an annular peripheral groove 32 which 1s a counterpart of the rib on said roll 29, the groove, however, being of slightly larger dimensions than the rib; that is, a, clearance is provided v 36 are dee er than the rib 30 and which 'is equal to or approximately the same as the thickness of the sheet of metal from which the weather strip is to be formed. On the end of the shaft 10 is fixed a disk or roll 33 having aperipheral rib 3t; and on the end of the shaft 11 is fixed a disk or roll 35 having a peripheral groove 36 which coiiperateswith said rib 3% on the disk The respective companion disks or rolls 29,

31 and 33, 35 are-similar, the difference being that the rib 34: and coiiperating groove roove 32. So, too, t ere is a fillet provided on each side of the rib and the edge portions of the groove 32 are rounded to correspond therewith, ,while the edge portions of the groove 36. and angles at the base of the rib 34 are sharp or substantially right angles.

'On the left hand end of the shaft 14 is fixed a disk 37. .This disk is provided with a substantially V-shape peripheral groove 38 with an annular rib 39 in the middle thereof. The periphery. of the rib 39 is substantially flush or even with. the periphery -of the disk. Fixed on the end of the shaft 15 is a disk 40 whose opposite corners are beveled off or chamfered as at 4:1 to correspond with the bevel of the gro'oved portions-'38 of the disk 37. This disk 40 is provided: with an annular groove 42 which preferably has a square bottom as shown.

' The operation of the machine as thus far describe .is as follows: A strip of sheet metal is fed lengthwise between the counterpart rolls or disks 29, 31, and is thereby grooved. lengthwise; the bottom and edge The pair'of rolls 33, and the groove inthe I 37, whereby the portions of the strip on each side of the groove are bentdownwardly at a sharp angle, preferably approximating forty-five degrees.

The body 'ortionof the finished strip S as shown in Eigs. 23 'tb 26, inclusive, is flat and a bead S having undercut sides is formed lengthwise thereof." To form the finished head, the strip as it emerges from between the rolls 37, 40, is first passed over a grooved block 43 which is mounted beneath Iaglateral extensionA-l on the lower end of a supporting bracket 45. The bracket is provided with a groove portion -16 which slidably fits a vertical rib 4:? on the outer face of a lug 48 depending from a cap plate P which is secure on top of the left land side frame l. The ooved portion l9 'of the bl ck 43 is ofsu cient dimensions to permit the formed on the strip in the process of grooving the same. to pass freely there- "through, and the top portions of said block 43, on opposite sides of the groove -19 therein, are beveled and inclined downwardly from the rear to the front end thereof as at 50. Said beveled faces 50 on the block 43 also gradually increase to a sharper angle toward the front end thereof.

After the strip passes over the block 43, itis carried upon two companion horizontall v-disposed disks 51 whose lower edge portions are undercut or rabbeted as at 52. The adjacent top edge portions of the two disks 51 nearly meet, while. the portions immediately below the topedge and above the cut out portions 52 are slightly under- .eral portions 53 of the disks 51 to constitute a complete counterpart of the finished head on the strip. This roller 55 has its opposite edge portions rabbeted or grooved annularly,

as at 57, so as to form a counterpart of the undercut or rabbeted portion 52 of the disks 51. This roller 55 at all times touches the annular shoulders formed by the undercuts 5:2 in the disks 51 and thereby supports and steadies the cotiperating peripheral portions of the two disks 51 while the bead is being formed on the strip.

Mounted medially above the roll 55 and cotiperating disks 51 is a roller 58. This roller 58 is fixed on the shaft 22 and its lowermostperipheral portion lies slightly above the top faces of the companion disks 51, the space being approximately equal to or alittle less than the thickness of the sheet of metal from which the weather strip is being formed. On the shaft 22 are also secured two oppositely disposed miter gears 59 60 which mesh with similar gears 61, 62 on the upper ends of the vertical shafts 51 on which the disks 51 are fixed. By this arrangement. the disks 51 and roller 58 are rotated simultaneously. roller 55 is an idler and receives 1ts motion merely through the frictional contact with The cotiperating decreased in a'ngularity toward the rear of the block, tend to straighten the bent down side portions of the strip toa certain extent, and the strip is guided onto the two disks 51. Asthe .strip progresses it is carried under the roller 58, whereby the downturned side portions are straightened out and flattened, and theribbed portion is crowded into the space between the coiiperatmg. peripheral undercut portions 53 of the disk 51 and peripheral groove 56 in the roller 55. The strip is then'formed into its final shape; that is, as far as the contour of the bead is concerned. The strip then passes over a guide bracket 63-ha-ving an undercut or dovetail groove 64 in its upper side to accommodate the undercut head on the strip.

- This guide bracket 63 is mounted so as to be adjusted laterally with respect to the alinement of the several sets of disks or forming rolls. The adjustment is preferably effected by slotting the'bracket as at 65 and securing the same by inserting a screw. through said slot into a threaded hole in a boss or lug 66 on the base of the machine.

- After the strip finally passes through the forming or shapingprocess, it is then passed between a pair of rotary disk-shears 67, 68,

which are'mount'ed on the shafts 18, 19, re-

,These thrust' rings or nuts 71, 72 are arrangedin pairs so as to act as am nuts.

whereby they are locked in their adjusted positions; As the thrust on the disk 67 is Outward, the thrust rings 71 are located on the shaft 18 next to the bearing block on the right hand side frame {1. and the thrust on the disk 68 being inwardly, the thrust rings '72 on the shaft 19 are located, next to the bearing block on the left hand side frame The disk 68 is preferably made thicker than the disk 67. 'as shown moreclearly in Fig. 15. and grooved annularly as at 68 to receive the head. while the base portion at the outer side of the head is supported by the peripheral portion 68",

The completed strip after being sheared is passed over a plate or bracket 73 having a groove 74 for the accommodation of the bead on the strip. The waste portion which lscut from the strip is guided under a guide-piece 75 until it is carried a sufficient distance from the machine to prevent it coiling back 5 and interfering with the working parts of the machine. To'furt-her'guide the strip after it leaves the shears, and in orderto deflect it in any desired direction, a pair of oppositely-disposed disks 76 are mounted eccentrically on the top of the plate 73, so that the beaded portion of the strip is caused'to pass between them as it leaves the machine.

These disks 76 are provided with studs 77 which project downwardly through perforations in the plate 73 and have clamping nuts thereon. By adjusting the disks 76 to diferent positions with respect to the axial ahnement of the several sets of forming disks, the completed strip may be either carried straight ahead or deflected to the right or left, as the case may be, as it leaves the machine.

The plate 73 is adjustably mounted on the upper end of an inclined bar or member 79 which is adjustably secured at its lower end to a lug or boss 80 projecting from the rear end of the base 2 of the machine. The bar is preferably pivoted on a screw '81 whereby it may be rocked so that its upper end. is ad-- justed to different heights and secured in such position. The plate 73 is, preferably, likewise secured by-a screw 82 to the upper end of the bar 79 to permit of its proper adjustment. .The openings in the bar 79 through which the screws 81 and 82 are inserted are preferably elongated to further facilitate the adjustments.

As shown in Figs. 4 to 7, inclusive, the strips of metal from which the weather strips are formed'are fed automatically into the machine. This automatic feeding of the strips is preferably accomplished by the construction illustrated. In this construction, the several blank strips S are supported in racks 83 which comprise parallel vertical members 8-1, 85 between which the strips are placed. Any suitable number of these racks may be' provided, depending upon the length and flexibility of the blank strips. Theseracks are provided with split sleeve portions 86 having. depending lugs 87 which are perforated to receive clamping bolts 88, whereby said racks may'be adjusted lengthwise of a horizontal supporting rod 89 and securely fastened in their respective adjusted positions. This rod 89 is mounted at one end in a bracket 90 which projects laterally from the left hand side of the front end portion of the base 2 of the machine, while its opposite end isjsecured in a bracket 91 which is mounted ou the table 1.

Mounted on .top ofthe brack'et 90 is an abutment member 92 havinga forwardly projecting horizontal shelf on which the inner end portions of the blank strips S are normally supported. 'This shelf or forward extension 93 on the abutment piece 92 is located so;that its upper face lies substantially in the horizontal plane adjacent to the cooperating peripheral portions of the forming rolls 29,' 31, so' that thelowermost strip in a pile is in position to be shifted in position to be fed directly be-.

laterally tween the rollse -The racks 83 are each. provided with a horizontally-disposed tubular portion 9a space between said vertical members or col-' umn guides. Mounted in this tubular portion is areciprocatory member 96 which has a springtongue 97 on its upper side. This spring tongue has a wedge-shaped or tapered end portion 98 which forms a shoulder or book 99 at its innerend. A coil'spring 100 is interposed between the end of the reciprocatory member96 and the outer end of the tubular chamber 91, whereby said reciprocatory member is normally held in the opposite end portionof said chamber 94;. The several rack members 83 are provided with inwardly extending ears or lugs101 which are perforated in axial alinement to receive a shaft 102. One end of this shaft 102 is journaled in the bracket 91 and its opposite end is journaled in a sleeve or collar 103 which is fixed on a stub shaft 101 extending transversely with respect to the cross shaft 6. Said stub shaft is journaled in a bearing bracket 105 which is" secured to the front end of the base 2. of the machine. On the rear end of the stub shaft is a worm gear 106 which meshes with a worm screw 107 on the cross shaft 6. By this arrangement, the stub shaft 10*1 rotates simultaneously with the rotation of the shaft 6. To connect the shaft 102 with the stub shaft 106 a coupling sleeve or collar 108 is feathered on said shaft. 102 and provided with a clutch portion or pins 109 which fit in counterpart portions or notches 109* in the collar 103. This clutch sleeve is preferably provided with a peripheral annular groove 109 and the peripheral edge portions are preferably knurled. as shown,,to provide a convenientgrasping portion whereby the sleeve may be readily manipulated.

Feathered on the shaft 102 are cam disks 110 which are located between the lugs or ears 101 on the rack members 83. The inner ends of the horizontal portions 91 of the rack members 83 are slotted as at 111 to make clearance for the high side of the cam disksllO. The outer end portions of the reciprocatory members 96 also project normally into these slotted portions 111 in cooperative relation to said cam disks.

The shaft 102 is grooved lengthwise as at 112 to receive the splines or keys of the-cam disks; and the groove extends substantially the entire length of the shaft. By thisa'r rangement, the racks S3 and cooperating cam disks may be readily-adjusted to dif 'ferent positions on their rod 89 and shaft 102, respectively. The splines for the clutch collar 103 also work in said groove 112.

'hen the shaft 102 is rotated, the disks 110 bein keyed or feathered thereon, rotate therewith, and said'cams cooperating with the reciprocatory members 96, move said v members inwardly against thetension of the springs 94:. The high side ofthe cam is of sufficient dimensions to move the member 96 inwardly until the hooked portion or shoulder 99 thereon passes under andbeyond the pile of blank strips S between the column guides 84, 85. As soon as the hi portion of the cam passes from behind t 1e member 96, thespring 100 will snap said member 96 back to normal position, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. During this'return. stroke of the member 96, the

hook portion or shoulder 99 on the spring tongue 97 engages -the lowermost strip of the pile and carries thesame laterally into a transverse slot 113. These slotted portions 113 in the racks 83 are arranged in line with the several forming rolls or disks of the machine. The openingsbetween said slots-113 and the space in which the pile of blank strips is mounted are of a width a little greater than the thickness of a strip and less than the thickness of two of said strips, so that only one strip mav be carried therethrough at a time. The balance of the slotted portion 113 is of somewhat larger dimensions than the width and thickness of the strip, so that the strip fits loosely therein. In order to feed thestrips to the machine, a cam collar or sleeve 114: is secured by a set screw 115 to the shaft 102, whereby said cam sleeve or collar may be adjusted and secured in ditierent positions lengthwise of the shaft as well as ditl'erent positions circumferentially thereof. This cam sleeve is mounted close to the outermost rack member 83 and cotiperates with a lever-arm 116 which is pivotally mounted at one end to a lug 117 on one of the ears 101 of said endmost rack member 83. The opposite end of said lever- -arni 110 is turned downwardly as at 118 and overlaps the slotted portion 113 in said-endmost rack member 83. Said lever arm 110 .is provided with a lu or projection 119 which coo rates with the cam faces 120 on said cam s eeve 114;. The cam sleeve or collar 114 is, preferably, so located and timed with respect to the projectibn 119 that said lever-arm is held wlth its free, end a'short distance aheadof the end of the pile of strips just prior tothe time that thebottommost strip is shifted from under the pile, 'as,

shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4. As soon as the strip has been moved over into-line with the 'forniin disks '29, 31, the highest'point of the cam ace 120 passes free of the projection 119 on the lever-arm and a spring 121 ee vm e hold'of the strip, the strip is fed by the fric-- tional contact therewith to the next set of rolls and so on through the machine.

The abutment member 92 may be adjusted to different positions longitudinally of its support if desirable, and, to rmit of this adjustment, the same is pre erably slotted as at 122 and secured by a screw 123. So, too, the bracket member maybe adjusted vertically, as by placinglshims or liners be- "tween the bottom of'the abutment member 92 and top of the bracket 90 on which it is mounted, or by any other'iobvious means.

To accommodate strips-of different width, a supplemental plate 8a? is adjustably mounted adjacent to' the inner face of the upright 8 1- of the rack -83'. This plate 84 may be supported and adjusted in any desirable' manner, but, preferably, it is swiveled to a pair ofadjusting screws 84" which are inserted through threaded openings in said'upright 84 as shown more clearly in Figs. 6 and 7. By moving the screws in and out, the space between theplate 84: and opposite upright 85 may be varied to correspond to the width of the strips. In the bot- 84 through which other an outer or groove strip,

tom edge of the plate 84: is a notch or groove shoulder 99 on the spring tongue 97 passes and whereby said shoulder orhook is permitted to engage the lowermost strip of the ile.

p Cap pieces 3, Pare secured on top of the respective side frames 3, ,4, and adjusting screws or abutments 124 are inserted-through vertical threaded holes therein so that their inner ends bear upon the upper bearing blocks 5 to limit the uppermost positions of said bearing blocks. By adjusting the screws 124: u and down the spaces between the several forming rolls may be varied to suit strips of different thicknesses.- Jam nuts 125 are provided on the screws 124: so as to impinge against the top of the cap piece or bosses 126 formed thereon. Interme iate spacing blocks may be placed under the upper bearlng blocks 5, as shown in" Figs. 9 and 12, if desired. 1

By the construction of a machine as herein set forth, weather strips or similar articles having undercut beads' on ribs can be automatically formed and the same will be completed with exact uniformity and nicety. In weather strips of the character illustrated, twoconnterpa-rt strips are used, one being called an inner or head the only difference being'in the" dimensions of the two ,fit one within the other.

beads which slidably 'downturned side portions,

the hook portion or- I comprising, 127, preferably of hard wood,

dinal grooved rib, and a strip and the Therefore, one machine may be employed to roll the two strips, if desirable, it being only necessary to provide substitute formin and disks of different dimensions.- so, if desired, the same machine may be employed to .roll strips or ribs of various dimensions by merely chan ing -the severalforming rolls and disks.

cooperating-rolls 55, 58, and the disks 51,

and feeding the strip thereto in the form in which it emerges from the'rolls3'Z, 40, that is, with the substantially U-shaperib and the action of the roll 58 in pressing said downturnedside portions flat upon the top faces of the disks 51, crowds the ribbed portion into the space'between the cotiperating peripheral portions 53' of said disks 51 and the peripheral groove 56 in the roll 55 and thereby gives to said rib or head its finished shape. That is, the outer portion of said bead .is rounded while the sides adjacent to the base portion are' pressed inwardly so that the opposite of the bead have an undercut effect. This construction and arrangement of the forming elements makes it unnecessary .to' use a mandrel. Consequently, the friction isminirolls y the arrangement oftthe sides mized and the strip is passed through the v machine without being unduly heated and without necessitating the use of a lubricant or cooling agent.

It is noted that the ratio of the. worm gearing, or any other suitable tran-mission gearing which may be provided between the driving mechanism for the forming rolls and the shaft which operates the strip-feeding mechanism is, obviously, such that the strip which is being formed is passedbeyond the initial pair of forming rolls before the next succeeding strip is fed to the forming rolls.

Obviously, the device admits of considerable modification without departing from my invention, and, therefore, I do not wish to be limited to. the specific construction and arrangement shown.

What I claim is:

1. A. machine for forming a longitudinal undercut head on a sheet meal strip in combination, cylindrical forming rolls arranged in coiiperating pairs, one roll of a pair having a peripheral groove in its middle and the companion roll having a counterpartperipheral ribworking in said groove, whereby a strip passed between said roll is formed with a longitupair of coti-peratino; rolls journaled at right angles to said first mentioned forming rolls, the peripheral por tions of said last mentioned rolls being formed to correspond with the final contour of therib. on the strip and ada ted to press the sides of said rib inward y and draw the base portions of the strip together.

2. A. machine for forming undercut heads-- a;

4 on strips of sheet metal comprising, in com-,

bination, a pair of counterpart rolls between which the strip is initially-passed, one of [said rolls having a peripherallannular rib and the other roll having a perlpheral annular groove which-cooperates w th said rib,

a second pair of rolls similar to said first mentioned; .pair, but having a relatively deeper" eorrelated-j..rib.-and groove, a third :10: I

having an annular peripheral groove whose pair of'rolls comprising, respectively, a roll 'side'walls-arebeveled and an annular rib extending around the middle of said move,

and ;the other 'roll having chainfere poi-trons which correspond tothe bevel of edge -'the -groove-'in the companion roll and-said chainfered roll having a peripheral" groove" extending around themiddle thereof and oo- 7 tions of said horizontal-disks to constitute a pattern of the head to be formed on the -strip, and a roll mounted above said hori- Zontaldisks, both'o'f said rolls-being rotated about axes in the vertical plane of atrans- [verse diametrical line through said horizontaldisks, the several pairs and sets" of formj 'grolls and disks being arranged in aline .ment, so that the strip may be passed successively-between the same.

p 3. A machine for forming undercut beads on sheet metal strips comprising, in combina *tion, a pair of counterpart initial forming rolls having, respectively, a peripheral annular rib and a peripheral annular cooperating groove, one or more successive pairs of counterpart forming rolls similar to said initial forming rolls, but having relatively .deeper ribs and grooves, whereby the strip passed between said rolls is successively formed with agrooved I'll) of increasln d'e th a air of counter art rolls arran e and adapted to turn the'body portion of the strip at an acute angle on each side of "the rib-formed thereon, and a final forming device comprising a pair of horizontally disposed disks whose adjacent peripheral portions are undercut, a roll mounted beneath said horizontal pair of disks incoopera-tive relation to the peripheral portions thereof and having a -.peripheral annular groove adapted to cooperate with the undercut peripheral portions of said horizontal disks tolconstitnte a form for the head to be completed, and a roll mounted above said horizontal disks with its lowermost peripheral portion adjacent to the upper faces thereof, both of said rolls being rotatable about axes in the vertical plane of a trans verse diametrical line through said horizon- I tal disks, whereby the base portions of the strip are flattened and the ribbed portion, is crowded into the form'provided by the cooperating peripheral portionsof said horizontal disks and the'roll thereunder, so that"- the strip emerges therefrom with a undercut-bead formed thereon.

4. A machine for forming beads on metal strips comprising, in combination, a

pair of counterpart'initial forming rolls,

said rolls having, respectively, an annular peripheraLrib and an annular peripheral groove,one or more successive-pairs of rolls similar to said initial pair, but having relasheet tively deeper ribs and grooves,whereby a strip fed between said rolls 1s successively formed;

a'-pair of counterpart rolls arranged and adapted to turn the base portion of said strip at an acute angle on opposite sides of the rib formed thereon, and devices for completing a pair of horizontally disposed disks whose/ j a'djacentperipheral portions are undercut, a froll mounted beneath said disks in cot perative relation to the peripheral portions of said: disks and having anannular peripheral groove therein adapted .to cooperate with the undercut peripheralv ortions of said disks to constitute a form or the bead to be completed, and a roll mounted above said horizontal disks with its lowermost peripheral portion adjacent to the upper faces thereof, both of said rolls being rotatable about axes in the vertical plane of a transverse diametrical'line through said horizontal disks, whereby the angularly bent sides of the base portion of the strip are straight ened out and the rib portion thereon is crowded into the form providedby the peripheral portions of said horizontal disks and the roll thereunder. so that the strip emerges therefrom with the completed undercut bead formed thereon, and means for simultaneouslv actuating all of said forming rolls and disks.

with a grooved rib of increasing depth,;

the head on said strip, the same comprising 5. A machine for forming undercut beads on fiat sheet metal strips comprising, in

combination. a series of pairs of cylindrical forming rolls between which a strip is passed, one roll of each pair having a pcripheral groove in its middle and the companion roll having a counterpart peripheral rib working in said groove and the groove and rib of each successive pair being deeper than those of the preceding pair so as to form a substantially U-sh'aped grooved rib on the strip which successively increases in depth as it progresses, and means located adjacent to the last pair of forming rolls and adapted to press the opposite sides of the U-shape rib inwardly and draw the base portions of the strip together, so that'the rib. is-formed into an undercut bead.

depth on a strip which-is fed between them; r

6. A machine for forming undercut beads on sheet metal strips comprising, in combination, a series of successive .pairs of similar counterpartforming rollsadapted to form a grooved ribof"su ccess1vely increasing one roll of each pair having a peripheral grooye and the companion roll having a pc- 3 ripheral ribworking in said groove and the groove and rib oflthe successive pairs of rolls being deeper than those of the preceding pair, a setof cooperatingrolls and disks adjacent to the last pair of ribbing rolls and adapted to press the sides of said rib inwardly near the base portion of the strip so as to form said rib into an undercut bead, and a pair of rotatoi'yshears arranged ad- ..to trim the marginal beads or ribs on sheet metal strips compriscallyxfeeding the blank strips to said rolls,

:1 of blank-strips which are norm enga .shift the same sidewise into alinement with ing, in combination, a series of counterpart forming-rolls between which the strip is passed longitudinally, means for automatisaid -nie'a ns comprising a support for a pile ally-out of alinement butparallel with said forming rolls,"transv ersely-arranged, intermittentlyactuating reciprocatory devices adapted to ge the lowermost strip of the pile and said forming rolls, and-means for moving the alined strip longitudinally into contact with the initial forming rolls of said series.

- said forming a support arranged parallel with said form-- Q 8. A machine for forming beads or ribs on sheet metal strips compr sing, in combi- I nation, a series of counterpart forming rolls 40 between which the strip is passed, means for automatically feeding the blank strips to rolls, said -means comprising ing vrolls, transversely arranged, intermittently-actuating devices adapted to engage .the lowermost strip of the pile and shift the "1 same into alinement with said forming rolls,

and an intermittently-actuating tappet arranged and adapted to strike the outer end of said alined strip and move the same into contact with the initial forming rolls.

9. A machine for forming beads or ribs on sheet metal strips comprising, in combination, a series of counterpart forming rolls between which the strip is passed, means for automatically feeding the blank strips to said forming rolls, said means com support arranged parallel with said forming; rolls, transverselyarranged, intermittently-actuating devices adapted'to engage the lowermost strip of the pile and shift the same into alinement with said forming rolls, an intermittently-actuating tappet arranged and adapted to strike the outer end of said alined strip and move the same into contact rising a i with the initial forming rolls, said forming rolls and the actuating means for said feed-= inglmechanism being simultaneously actu atet 10. A machine for forming longitudinal beads or ribs on sheet metal strips comprising, in combination, a series of counterpart forming rolls between which the strip is passed longitudinally, said, rolls being arranged I geared to be actuated simultaneously, means for automatically feeding the blank strips longitudinally to said forming rolls, said means comprising a support upon which the strips are piled normally out of alinement in cooperating pairs or sets, andwith but in parallel relation to said series of forming rolls, transversely-arranged, intermittently-actuating devices adapted to engage the lowermost strip of the pile and shift the same sidewise into alinement with 1 said forming rolls, an intermittently-actuating device arranged and adapted to move the ahned strip longitudinally into enga ement with the pair of initial forming rolls,

and a releasable clutch for coupling the actuating means for said strip-feeding device with the actuating means for said forming rolls, whereby vsaid forming rolls and said strip-feeding device are simultaneously actuated. 1

11. In a machine for forming longitudinal beads or ribs on sheet metal strips, the combination .with the forming mechanism, of means for automatically feeding the blank strips longitudinally to the forming mechanism, said means comprising a rack arranged to support a pile of strips nor-- mally out of alinement but parallel with the vertical plane of the feeding position of a strip with respect to said forming mechanism, transversely disposed spring pressed reciprocatory members mounted below the pile of strips and having a spring catch thereon which is adapted to engage the lowermost strip in the pile when said members are moved in the direction to take said strip to feeding position, meansfor intermittently actuating said transverse reciprocatory members, whereby the lowermost strip in the pile is shifted sidewise therefrom into position to be fed to the forming mechanism, and an intermittentlyactuating device arranged and adapted to move tht positioned strip into engagement with tln forming mechanism.

12. In a machine for forming beads 01 ribs on sheet metal strips, the combinatioi with the-initial forming rolls, of means fo' automatically feeding the blank strips lon gitudinally to said initial forming rolls, sair means comprising rack members which ar arranged in alinement so as to support a pil of blank strips in parallel relation to the ve; tical plane of the feeding position of a stri' with respect to said rolls, each of said rac .a spring arranged to move each of said me mhers back to normal position as said cams 'recede, whereby'the strip is moved into feeding position, and an intermittentlyactuab ing device arranged and adapted to engage the positioned strip and move the same longitudinally into contact with the initial forming rolls.

13. A machine for forming beads on sheet metal strips comprising ,in combination. a series of pairs of counterpart forming rolls adapted to form a grooved rib lengthwise of a strip which is passed between them, one roll of each pair having a peripheral groove. and the companion roll having a peripheral rib working in said groove. :1 set of cooperating rolls arranged and adapted to give to the rib'the final form of the bead. and means for trimming the marginal portion of the completed strip parallel with the head after it has emerged from the final forming rolls.

1- A machine for forming beads on sheet metal strips comprising. in combination. a series of pairs of counterpart forming rolls adapted to form a grooved rib lengthwise of a strip which is passed between them, a set of coiiperating rolls arranged and adapted to gi e to the rib the final form of the bead. means for trimming the marginal portion of the finished strip parallel with the bead, and means for guiding the tinished'strip as it emerges from the machine.

15. A machine for forming longitudinal beads on sheet metal strips comprising, in'

combination, a series of pairs of counterpart forming rolls adapted to form a grooved rib lengthwise of a striywhich is passed-between them, a set 0 cooperating rolls arranged and adapted to give to the rib the final form of the bead,- means for trimming the -marginal portion of the finished strip parallel with the bead as it emerges from the final forming rolls, and an adjustable lengthwise ofa stri which is passed between them, a set o 006 crating rolls arranged and adapted to give to the rib the final form of the strip, means for trimming the marginal portion of'the strip parallel with the head as it emerges from the final forming rolls, and an adjustable guide arranged to receive and guide the finished strip as it emerges from the machine, saidguide comprising a supporting plate having a grooved gutdeway at its inner end for the bead and a pair of oppositely disposed disks mounted on said plate and ,having eccentric depending studs which are inserted through perforations in said plate and screwthreaded, and tightening nuts on the screwthreaded portions of said studs under said plate.

17. A machine for forming undercutbeads on sheet metal strips comprising, in combination. a series of alin'ed pairs of forming rolls, the rolls of each pair being provided with counterpart peripheral annular ribs and grooves, respectively, the ribs and grooves ofthe respective pairs being of different depths, whereby a strip passed be- 'tween said rolls is formed with a grooved rib of'increasing depth, a set of cooperating rolls arranged and adapted to press the sides of said rib inwardly near the'base of the strip to form said rib into an undercut head. a guide adjusttibly mounted between the initial series of forming rolls and said set of final forming rolls. a pair of rotary shears arranged to trinrthe marginal portion of the strip parallel with the bead formed thereon after it has emerged from the final forming rolls,a guide adjustably mounted betweensaid shears and said setof final forming rolls, and an adjustably mounted guide arranged'and adapted to receive and D o the mach1ne.-

Signed at- St. Louis, Mo., this 16th day of uide the finished strip as it emerges from 

